Candace Andrews asked Michael Finkel:

I recently finished The Stranger in the Woods and enjoyed it very much. I was especially struck by your relationship to Knight, which did not seem to be reciprocated; i.e., the lilac spring and apple pie that were refused; your concern about Knight’s admission to wanting to take a walk with “The Lady of the Woods.” What was it about Knight that accounts for your concern and feelings for him?

Michael Finkel Thanks for your question and my apologies for the delay in responding. It's was Knight's intelligence, and emotional vulnerability, and seemingly complete honesty that captured me. And of course his unique story. There was that moment when I mentioned, in a letter to him, the pleasing synchronicity of the Summer solstice and the super moon, and Knight informed me that he'd been trying in jail to speak with someone about that very same, somewhat obscure topic, that made me feel we had a certain connection. That truly sparked my concern for him. Of course, with a person so unusual as Knight, forming a true bond is nearly impossible, and I'm sure I made several mistakes along the way, but I tried to always do what felt natural.

flag